Garment treating devices



Dec. 6, 1955 K. M. o'BoYLE 2,726,021

GARMENT TREATING DEVICES Filed Aug. 4, 195s 3 Sheets-Sheet l Dec. 6, 1955 K, M, QBOYLE 2,726,021

GARMENT TREATING DEVICES Filed Aug. 4, 1953 s sheets-sheer 2 Dec. 6, 1955 K, M. OBQYLE GARMENT TREATING DEVICES 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Aug. 4, 1953 United States Patent() GARMENT TREATING DEVICES Kenneth M. OBoyle, Albuquerque, N. Mex., assgnor of one-halt` to Bernard S. Parker Application August 4, 1953, Serial No. 372,319

5 Claims. (Cl. 223-67) The present invention relates to devices for treating garments, and more particularly the present invention relates to a device for steam treating and pressing the upper portions of trousers and the like.

One object of the present invention then is to provide a device of the character described which has eXpansible bags for shaping the waist, hips and seat of trousers or slacks and the like.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device of the character described which will have adjustable clamps operating in conjunction with rigid press forms to press the pleats and upper portion of the trousers and slacks and the like.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a device which is effective in treating the entire upper portion of the trousers or slacks in a single bag, which suspends the trousers or slacks in a normally draped position so as to avoid wrinkling the legs thereof during operation of the said device.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a device of the character described which will effectively process two garments simultaneously, thereby increasing production from the device and reducing the effort required on the part of the operator of the said device.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a device of the character described which will dry the steam used before applying said steam in sequence to the garments being treated so as to avoid condensation of the steam on the garments.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provideY a device of the character described which applies heated air in sequence to the expansible bags for shaping and dryingV the garments, which suspends the trousers in a normally draped position in order that the pleats thereof may be easily and quickly aligned and adjusted so that the said garments may be easily and quickly loaded on and removed from the said device.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a garment treating device which is designed to eiectively treat trousers and slacks and the like without causing the objectionable gloss or shine on the said garments which are being treated, suchy as is produced by conventional present-day garment treating devices.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a device ofthe character described which is simple and durable in construction and which is economical to manufacture and which will require a minimum of upkeep and repair'when installed. Y

With the above and other objects in view as will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts, as hereinafter more specifically set forth, claimed and shown in the accompanying drawings which form a part of this application for Letters Patent.

In the Aaccompanying drawings I have illustrated Several preferred and practical embodiments of my invention, it being understood, however, that the drawings are merely illustrative and that my inventive-concept is susceptible of other embodiments and utilizations, and that the illustrated embodiments likewise are susceptible of a wide range of variation and modification without departing from the spirit of my invention or the scope of the appended claims.

In these drawings which accompany and form a part of this specification, and in which like reference numerals are used to designate the same or like parts throughout the several figures:

Fig. l is a perspective viewAof a garment treating device constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a view in side elevation of the device shown in Fig. 1, with the bags and the pleat clamps removed therefrom, and with certain parts partially broken away and shown in cross-section in order to better illustrate' the construction thereof;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the device shown in Figs. l and 2, particularly illustrating the air control mech anism and having portions broken away and shown in cross-section to better illustrate the construction thereof;

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view through one of the press forms, taken along the line 4 4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is fragmentary side View in perspective of the side opposite that shown in Fig. 2;*

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view through one of the press forms and taken along the line 6-6 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged plan view of the steam control mechanism of the present invention;

Fig. 8 is a top plan view on an enlarged scale of one of the press forms, portions thereof being broken away and shown in cross-section in order to better illustrate the pleat clamp mechanism of the present invention;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of one of the expansible bags constructed in accordance with the concepts of the present invention; and,

Fig. 10 is an enlarged side elevational View, partially in cross-section particularly illustrating the pleat clamp mechanism of the present invention.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, the reference numeral 1 has been used to designate the base of the device of the present invention. Preferably, the base memA ber 1 is hollow and may be made in any desired shape or size and of any suitable material or construction, such as, for example, a casting or it may be made up from a series of sheets or plates suitably securedV together such as by welding or the like. The base member 1 is provided with the necessary apertures and reinforcements and may be fitted with suitable inspection plates in order to provide easy access to the interior thereof. In the present illus tration the base member 1 is shown as being substantially rectangular at the bottom thereof and is gradually tapered upwardly therefrom and terminates in a ilat top to which may be secured the air'duct structure which has been Y generally indicated by the reference numeral 2.

The air duct structure 2 is shown as being substantially Y-shaped, although it will be understood that other suitable shapes may also be utilized. The air duct structure 2 is centrally positioned across the top of the base member 1. At the outer ends of the duct structure2 may be secured two semi-circular forms which have been generah ly indicated by the reference numerals 3 and 4 respectA ively. The press forms 3 and 4 extend downwardly from the air duct structure 2, and are-provided with centrally located, elongated slots in the bottom thereof to ac commodate the crotch of the trousers or slacks as will be later described herein. The press forms 3 and 4 are provided with a plurality of apertures indicated generally by the reference numerals 5, as is shown most clearly in Fig. 2, to allow the passage of steam therethrough. The press forms 3 and 4 arecovered with an absorbent pad sientes Dee. s, 1955V which has been indicated by the reference numeral 6 as shown in Fig. 2. The absorbent pad 6 may be made from any suitably porous pad material which is capable of retaining moisture and which will have suflicient porosity to allow the uniform escape. of steam therethrough. A similar absorbent pad 7 is provided for the press form 3 as is shown most clearly in Fig. 5.

A pair of expansible bags which have been indicated generally by the reference numerals 8 and 9 are placed in covering relationship to the press forms 3 and 4 as is shown most clearly in Fig. l. The expansible bags t3 and 9 correspond substantially to the shape of the upper portions of trousers, slacks and the like. One of the expansible bags indicated generally by the reference numeral 9 is particularly illustrated in Fig. 9, where it may be readily seen that an air inlet opening 10 has been provided in the top thereof, and this air inlet opening 1G corresponds to and is put in matching relationship with the air outlet opening 11 provided in the bottom of the air duct structure 2 directly behind the press form 4 as is shown most clearly in Fig. 3. The portion of the expansible bags 8 and 9 which cover the press forms 3 and 4 respectively are drawn tightly over said press forms 3 and 4 and are secured thereto by any suitable fastening means in order to provide a smooth surface over which the pleats of the trousers or slacks are placed as will be described later herein. The expansible bags 8 and 9 are made from a exible material which is permeable to steam discharged therein as well as to air which is also discharged therein, for example the bags 8 and 9 may be constructed from woven textile fabric which is woven with sufficient tightness that slow escape is provided for the steam and air therein to effect ballooning of the said bags 8 and 9. At the same time suiicient pressure is maintained within said expansible bags to distend the portions of the trousers or slacks placed thereon in covering relationship and to maintain this distension until the fabric of the garment has been dried or set as will be described later herein.

Intermediate the side walls of the base member 1 are pivotally secured a pair of horizontal arms which have been indicated generally by the reference numerals 12 and 13 as is shown most clearly in Fig. 3. The horizontal arms 12 and 13 are used to support the rear portions of the trousers or slacks which are being pressed. ln Fig. 5 the arm 12 has been particularly illustrated and here it may be noted that a vertical shaft member 14 has been secured to the inner end of the arm 12 where it passes downwardly through a bracket member 1S which is carried by the side wall of the base member 1. The bracket member 15 is positioned directly beneath the air duct structure 2. Over the lower end of the shaft member 14 is fitted a disc or washer member 16 which may be made from any suitable material such as, for example, rubber or the like. The washer member 16 is drawn tightly up against the bracket member 15 and suitably held in place by such means as the lock nuts 17 and 18 on the bottom of the shaft member 14 in order to cause the movement of the arms 12 and 13 to be sufficiently stiff to support the trousers or slacks placed thereon without stretching the waistband of said trousers or slacks out of shape as might result if direct spring tension were used. To the outer end of the arm members 12 and 13 is secured a rigid tubular element 19 which may be made from any suitable material, such as, for example, rubber, wood, plastic or the like. A bolt member secures the tubular element 19 to the arm 12, and the tubular element 19 is placed inside the expansible bag 9 and the bolt member 20 passes through an eyelet 21 in said expansible bag 9 as is shown. most clearly in Figs. l and 9.

An air supply means which may comprise a fan or blower 22 driven by a `suitable motor 23 may be carried bythe rear wall of the base member 1 as is shown most clearly'in Fig. 2. The outlet Aof the blower 22 is pneuJ matically connected to the rear wall of the air duct structure'2. An air switch or damper member 24 is provided in the intermediate portion of the air duct structure 2; the said damper member 24 is carried by a vertical shaft member 2S which extends through said air duct structure and is journalled therein. The shaft member 25 extends downwardly into the interior of the base member 1 and is rigidly secured to a handle member 26 which projects forwardly out of the base member 1 through an elongated slot 26a provided therein, where it will be in convenient reach of the operator of the device. By moving the handle 26 to one side of the elongated slot 26a the operator may conveniently direct the ow of air either through the bag 8 or the bag 9 as he desires. If desired, an electrical switch member (not shown) of conventional design may also be mounted on the front of the base member 1 to shut ofi the flow of air through the air duct structure 2 by shutting oi the motor 23 which drives the blower 22.

An air heater which has been generally indicated by the reference number 29 may be mounted across the air inlet opening of the blower 22 as is shown most clearly in Fig. 2. The air heater 29 may comprise a suitable radiator 28 which is made up of a plurality of finned coils 27 of conventional design and construction, the tins serving to increase the heat radiating capacity of the coils 27. Steam is supplied to the device through the pipe 30 coming from a suitable source of supply (not shown), such as a steam boiler. A steam pipe 31 connects the heater 29 with the supply pipe 30 by means of a T fitting 32 and spent steam and condensate from the heater 29 are discharged into the moisture separator 33 by means of the steam pipe 34. The steam separator 33 may be situated within the hollow cavity of the base member 1 and may be secured to the latter by suitable mounting brackets 35 and 36. The terminal end of the steam pipe 30 is fitted with a T fitting 37 to which are connected the steam pipes 38 and 39 which connect with the press forms 3 and 4 to maintain them in heated condition. The steam pipe 38 extends into the air duct member 2 and along the front wall thereof and forms a plurality of coils behind the form 4 and is welded or otherwise suitably secured to the latter and then extends back along the rear wall of the air duct member 2 and downwardly into the base member 1 where it connects with the separator 33 all as is most clearly shown in Figs. l, 2, 3 and 4. The steam pipe 39 is similar to the steam pipe 38 and is disposed in the opposite side of the` device to maintain the press form 3V in heated condition, and the steam pipe 39 discharges into the opposite side of the separator 33. A nipple 40 may be threaded into the bottom of 'the separator 33 and the nipple 4G is fitted with an elbow 41 to which is connected a lateral branch 42 which extends rearwardly through the base member 1 and communicates with a suitable steam trap (not shown) which serves to separate condensate from the steam while maintaining a predetermined steam pressure in the separator 33.

A nipple member 43 extends upwardly from the top of the separator 33 and is fitted with a T identified by the reference numeral 44. A pair of whistle valves 45 and 46 are connected by means of the elbow fittings 47 and 48 respectively. A steam pipe 49 is connectedto the valve 45` as is shown most clearly in Fig. 2 and the pipe 49 extends upwardly into the air duct member 2 and extends outwardly to the rear of the press form 4 and terminates in a cross 50 to which are connected the steam discharge tubes 51, 52 and 53 which are equally spaced between the coils of the steam pipe 38 as is shown most clearly` in Figs. 4 and 6. The tubes 51, 52 and 53 are provided with a plurality of oriiices which have been generally indicated by the reference numeral 54, for discharging steam therefrom. A steam conduit 55, sirnlar to the conduit 49, is disposed in the opposite side ofthe device as is shown most clearly in Fig. 3. The steampipe or conduit 55 is connected to the valve 46 and is provided with discharge tubes (not shown) which are similar to the tubes 51, 52, and 53 and serve exactly the same function. A lever 56 is pivotally connected to a base mounted bracket, indicated by the reference numeral 57, by means of a bolt member 58, said lever 56 extending across the front of the valves 45 and 46, and being provided with a handle member S9 which extends through an elongated slot 59a in the front of the base member 1 where it is within convenient reach of the operator of the device. It is apparent from Figs. 1, 2 and 7 that the movement of the handle member 59 about its pivotal connection will cause the lever 56 to strike the valve stems as desired, thus effecting the discharge of steam into one side of the device or other as the operator may desire.

The press forms 3 and 4 are each provided with a pair of clamps which have been indicated generally by the reference numeral 60, which are used to effectively press the pleats of trousers and slacks. Fig. shows a detailed view of one of the clamp members 60 which comprise a fiat rectangular plate 60a made from wood or any other suitable material. The fiat plate 60a is pivotally connected by means of the hinge 61 to a bracket member 62 with the pin member 63. The bracket member 62 extends into the press form 3 and is fitted with an angular plate 64 which is curved to match the curvature of the press form 3. The plate 64 is supported within the press form 3 by means of a series of ball bearings 65 which ride in grooves provided in the plate 64 and also in corresponding grooves in the press form 3. The entire pleat clamp assembly is movable on the ball bearings 65 with respect to the position of the trouser pleats upon the press form 3 as will be later described. A latch dog 66 is pivotally secured to the underside of the bracket member 62 by means of a pin 67, said latch being effective to hold the plate 60a under tension against the press form 3 when desired. In placing the garment treating device into operation, the pleat clamps 60 are open as shown by the dotted lines in Fig. l0, and the levers 12 and 13 are moved forward against the rear of the press form as shown by the dotted lines in Figs. 3 and 5. The expansible bags 8 and 9 are collapsed against the rear of the press forms 3 and 4.

To further aid in understanding the operation of the garment treating device of the present invention a specific example of its operation will now be given.

A first pair of trousers (not shown) are placed in covering relationship on the press form 3 and the expansible bag 8. The lever member 12 is then moved rearwardly until a slight tension is created upon the waist band of the trousers in order to support said trousers. One of l the pleats of the trousers are then adjusted on the press form 3 by the operator and the pleat clamp 60 is then closed thereon. The other pleat of the said trousers is then adjusted on the press form 3 and the opposite pleat clamp 65B is closed thereon.

The steam control handle 59 is now moved so as to cause steam to be discharged into the expansible bag 3 and thence through-the fibres of the said first pair of trousers. Next, the air control handle 26 is moved to effect the discharge of heated air into the expansible bag 8 for extending the trousers to their normal shape and size and also effecting the thorough distribution of the steam within the expansible bag 8. Thus steam and heated air are being simultaneously discharged into the bag 8 and through the fibers of Vthe said first pair of trousers or slacks.

A second pair of trousers are now placed over the press form 4 and the expansible bag 9. The lever member or arm i3 is now moved rearwardly by the operator to support the said second pair of trousers. The pleats of the said second pair of trousers are now adjusted on the press form 4 and the pleat clamps 60 are closed thereon. The steam control handle 59 is now moved to effect the dis charge of steam into the expansible bag 9 and simultane ously, automatically stopping the discharge of steam into the expansible bag 8. At this point heated air alone ows tothe expansible bag 8 thereby setting or drying the said first pair of trousers, while steam alone is being discharged into the expansible bag 9 and through lthe fibers of the said second pair of trousers.

The air control handle 26 is now moved to effect the flow of heated air into the expansible bag 9 for extending the said second pair of trousers to their normalsze and `shape and also eifectingrthe thorough and even distribution of steam in the expansible bag 9. At this time steam and air are being simultaneously discharged into the expansible bag 9, while neither steam nor heated air isV being discharged into the expansible bag 8. The said first pair of trousers or slacks are now finished and the pleat clamps 60 holding them to the press form 3 are opened and the trousers removed from the garment treating device by the operator drawing the lever or arm 12 forward and allowing said lirst pair of trousers to easily slide fromrthe form 3 and the expansible bag 8. After the operator has removed the said first pair of trousers from the garment treating machine of the present invention they are replaced with a third pair of trousers and the cycle of operations continues alternately from one side of the device to the other.

While the device of the present invention does not press the legs of the trousers, it does discharge a portion of the steam and heated air through the bottom of the expansible bags 8 and 9 and thus the legs of the trousers are partly conditioned so as to make the leg pressing easier and quicker. The leg pressing is accomplished by the use of present-day conventional press machinery.

It will be apparent that when plain or unpleat-trousers or slacks are to be pressed it is not necessary to use the pleat clamps 60 of the present invention, and thus this kind of trousers may be more quickly and easily treated.

The size, composition, material, weave, shape and conl dition of trousers and slacks encountered in a dry cleaning or like establishment have a wide range of variation. It will be apparent from a study of the construction and operation of the garment treating device of the present invention that I have provided an improved device for treating trousers and slacks which device embodies certain new and novel combinations which are effective to compensate for the above wide range of variation of trousers and slacks. The device of the present invention by ernbodying these novel features and combinations enable even a relatively unskilled operator to produce a higher quality of pressing or treating at a greatly increased rate of production. The present device also requiring much less effort to operate it than can possibly be secured by the use of conventional, present-day types of press ma clhinery even when using experienced operators to operate t em.

One of the more important features of the present invention is the provision of a semicircular form for re ceiving the pleated fronts of trousers. Since the distance between these said pleats varies greatly in respect to the size of the trousers, etc., a flat form, even if it were wide enough to receive large trousers would be too wide to accommodate small trousers. By the use of the semicircular form of the present invention, a large press area is obtained without excessive width of the press form itself. Thus either large or small trousers may be fitted over these novel semicircular forms and the position of the pleats will vary on the face of the form. The pleat clamps 60 are made horizontally adjustable about the face of the press form withrespect to the position of the pleats upon said press forms. The -face of the pleat clamps is preferably at .so that the padding of the press form will compensate for this flatness when the pleat clamps 60 are closed. In this manner only the pleats are contacted by the pleat clamps and the outer side of the pleat clamps do not contact the garments, so as to eliminate impressions upon the garment which would result if the pleat clamps 60 were curved to correspond with the curvature of the press forms 3 and 4.

Another particular feature of the garment treating device of the present invention is the method of treating the trousers or slacks in a normally draped position, which aiords easy loading of the device since the pockets of the ,trousers or slacks are hanging downward and are easily smoothed into position. The legs of the trousers or slacks are also hanging in a normal position and this makes the alignment of the pleats simple, fast and easy, and also allows the legs of the trousers or slacks to relax their iibers when they are being steamed.

Another important feature of the present invention is the fact that the rear support for the trousers Vor slacks does not `exert a direct `tension on the waist band of the trousers or slacks. This is because most trousers and slacks have the lining of the waist bands biased. Since the present device provides novel means for supporting the rear of the waistband, the said waistband is not pulled out of shape when steam is passed through the garment.

From experience it has been found that the condition of some fabrics `in trousers and slacks is more wrinkled than in others, due to the composition of the fabric, the weave of the material, or the manner or length of time which the garment has been worn, or Vdue to various cleaning treatments that have been used on the garment, or to various other factors. When badly wrinkled garments are encountered by the operator of the present invention, it is only necessary for the operator to discharge a blast of steam through the trousers or slacks in order to relax the bers thereof, prior to adjusting the pleats and closing the pleat clamps 60 on the press forms 3 and 4.

Still another advantage of the improved device of the present invention is that it provides a new and novel device which will process two garments simultaneously. This allows the operator of the device to devote his full time to unloading and reloading of one side of the device whilc another garment is being treated on the opposite side of the device. it will thus be apparent that the operator of the device is not required to wait for a garment to be treated and removed from the device before being replaced by another garment. The operators full time may be devoted to loading and unloading garments and the manipulation of the controls thereby greatly increasing the output of the device over conventional methods presently in use.

While l have shown and described a preferred and practical form of the present invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied in various other forms, shapes and combinations without departing from the spirit of my invention or the scope of the appended claims. The present embodiment is, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the scope of the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description or illustrations, and all changes and moditications which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are, therefore, intended to be embraced herein.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A device of the class described including a base member, two vertically arranged, rounded pressing forms supported by the base member and each of which is adapted to receive the pleated front of a pair of trousers, horizontally adjustable, at clamping means supported by the pressing forms for holding said trousers against said rounded pressing forms, pivotally arranged supporting means supported by said base member for the rear of said trousers, expansible bags placed in covering relationship to the said pressing forms, a duct structure placed above said pressing forms whereby steam and heated air may be alternately blown through each of said pair of trousers under the control of the operator by means of suitable air and steam controls, so that both of said pairs of trousers may be pressed while they are clamped against said pressing forms.

2 A garment treating device comprising an upright base member, a generally Y-shaped structure horizontally supported on the upper end of said base member comprising a pair of diverging air ducts and a blower communicating with the ducts at their juncture, a garment form depending from the outer end of each duct, the outer end portion of each duct and the corresponding form having an outwardly curved surface, means supported by the base member for providing steam to the forms, and a garment engageable bag engaged with each form and having an opening in the upper end thereof in communication with a respective air duct.

3. The structure according to claim 2, together with garment pleat engageable clamps supported by each of said forms and cooperating garment waist-engaging means supported by said base member.

4. The structure according to claim 3, wherein said clamps are supported by said forms for horizontal adjustment thereon.

5. The structure according to claim 2, together with manually operable valve means for selectively directing air from said blower into one or the other of said air ducts. t

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,428,484 Bowen Oct. 7, 1947 2,500,992 Leef Mar. 21, 1950 2,515,848 Winter V Aug. 18, 1950 2,521,297 Littell Sept. 5, 1950 2,543,413 Koth Feb. 27, 1951 2,658,649 Rosenthal Nov. 10, 1953 

